and yet even here in the general assembly the truth can sometimes break through. in 1984 when i was appointed israel's ambassador to the united nations, i visited the great rabbi. he said to me -- and, ladies and gentlemen, i don't want any of you to be offended because from personal experience of serving here, i know there are many honorable men and women, many capable and decent people serving their nations here, but here's what he said to me. he said to me, you'll be serving in a house of many lies. and then he said, remember that even in the darkest place the light of a single candle can be seen far and wide. today i hope that the light of truth will shine, if only for a few minutes, in a hall that for too long has been a place of darkness for my country. so as israel's prime minister, i didn't come here to win applause. i came here to speak the truth. [applause] the truth is -- [applause] the truth is that israel wants peace. the truth is that i want peace. the truth is that in the middle east at all times, but especially during these turbulent days, peace mu